Book binding and method of forming the same



May 26, 1942. A. T. WALRAVEN BOOK BINDIN G AND METHOD OEYFORMING THE SAME Fil ed May 23, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l 3mm Albert 7." We/raven y 1942- I i A. T. WALRAVEN 2,284,312

' BOOK BINDING AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed May 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A/ber'z I 7.' War/raven Patented May 26, 1942 Albert T. Walraven, Dallas, Tex.

Application May 23, 1941, Serial No. 394,771v

11 Claims. ((31. 281-29) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in book bindings and methods of forming the same.

One object is to provide an improved book binding having flexible hinge means for fastening the elements of the binding together and being particularly adapted to receive a removably mounted filler, whereby said bindingis ideal for use as a record book.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved binding which includes the usual binders boards connected by a pre-formed reinforced back and having means secured to their inner marginal portions for detachably fastening a filler within the binding, the fastening means being so arranged that the same may be utilized to maintain the elements of said binding in their proper relationship during formation thereof, whereby construction of the binding is facilitated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hinge connection for a binding which includes-inner and outer strips for securing the binders boards to each other and to the back, the intervening portions of the strips being fastened to each other so as to produce a stronger, more flexible connection between said boards and back.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved binding, of the character described, wherein the size or capacity of the same may be accurately controlled during the formation thereof and wherein itsback is strengthened by flexible members of relatively-firm material instead of the conventional head bands of soft rope, whereby a heater, more durable and more economical binding is produced in a considerably shorter period of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for supporting the elements of the binding in the desired relationship during construction thereof, said means being of sufficient size and shape to maintain said elements in their respective permanent positions so as to obviate the necessity of prolonged curing of said binding after completion of the same; said means also being adjustable, whereby the same may be utilized in'the formation of bindings of various sizes.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved method of making a binding which includes the step of fastening the elements of a binding upon a form of the correct size so as to maintain said elements in their proper shape and relationship, whereby prolonged curing of said binding is rendered unnecessary.

1 an example of the invention is Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing a binding which includes fastening the binders boards together by a backing strip, forming. a

back, securing the back to the backing strip, and

* back to the connecting means, securing said back to the boards, then removing the binding from the form and covering the same'in the' usual manner.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will 'be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will bemore readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, as shown, and wherein:

Figure l is an isometric view of a back and form for the same constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2-is an isometric viewof one of the head bands,

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a reinforced back,

Figure 4 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional view of a portion of the reinforced back,

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the binders boards having backing strips and metallic hinge fastened to' one edge portion thereof, I

Figure 6 is an isometric view of a portion of the boards with their hinges connected to a form for supporting said boards and showing the step of fastening the backing'strips together,

Figure 7 is a view, similar to Figure 6, illusreinforced back to trating the securing of the the backing strips,

Figure 8 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, showing the adjustability of the form and the relationship of the elements of the binding to each other and said form,

Figure 9 is an isometric'view of the binding after it has been removed from the form,

Figure 10 is an isometric view of the completed binding with portions broken away to show the construction thereof, and

relics v Figure 11 is an isometric view of a portion of a modified form of binding having a one-piece backing strip. V

In the drawings. the numeral I designates a form which may be constructed of metal, wood or other suitable material, and which has its upper surface curved or arced transversely so as to provide a longitudinally-extending arcuate recess or depression II. The back I2 of a binding is adapted to be shaped by means of this form and is placed in the recess II thereof after being cut to the proper size from binders board or other suitable material and soaked in water. It is manifest that the shaping of the back may be accomplished by striking the same with a hammer (not shown) or other tool so as to cause said board to be depressed or moved into intimate contact with the curved surface of r to the width of the board I2 so as to be coextensive with the ends thereof. The use of leather head bands is preferable because leather is relatively-stiff and yet sufliciently pliable to permit flexing of the back. Obviously, the bands I3 reinforce the board I2 and particularly the ends of the same. i

After the completion of, or simultaneously with, the formation of the reinforced back, the

usual binders boards I4 are cut out and a backing strip I5, of Fabrikoid, imitation leather, leather or other suitable'material, is secured'to the inner marginal portion of each board. It is preferable to form the strip I5 of Fabrikoid or imitation leather due to its inelasticity and lack of give or stretch. Although the backing strips I5 may be fastened to the boards I4 in any suitable manner, it has been found highly desirable and economical to fasten said strips to said boards by means of the rivets I6 of the conventional, metallic hinge members or sections I1. is provided with the usual longitudinally-spaced, tubular loops I8 which project beyond the inner edge of the board to which it is fastened. Since the hinge members II overlie the backing strip I5, the rivets I6 necessarily pass through said strip and fasten the same to the boards I4.

As shown in Figure 6, a block or form I9, of

substantially the same size and shape as the filler to be used in the completed binding, is provided for the purpose of supporting the boards I4 and strips I5 in their permanent relation-' ship. The upper or inner longitudinal end of the block I9is rounded or curved'transversely' As shown in Figure 5, each hinge member.

spaced so as to be complementary to the loops will extend contiguousto the longitudinal sides of the block and the inner or free portions of the strip I5 will engage and overlie the rounded surface 20 of said block. Thus, it will be readily apparent that the block I9 serves to maintain the elementsof the binding in the same relationship they will have in the completed binding.

With the elements in the position shown in Figure 6, the strips I5 are fastened together by means of a tape 23, of paper or other suitable material, which is glued, or otherwise secured to the outer surfaces of said strips. The use of the separate strips I5 and tape 23 makes it 7 possible to vary the thickness or capacity of the binding without changing the size or width of said strips. After the strips I5 have been fastened together, the reinforced back I2 is secured to the exposed portion of said strips and the tape 23 by an adhesive, or other suitable means, as is clearly shown in Figure 'l. Attention is directed to the fact that the strips I5, hinge sections I1 and tape 23 as well as the block I9, are of substantially the same length and are short-. er than the back I2, whereby the head bands I3 of said back will lie in substantially the same plane as said strips and tape when the back is secured thereto. Thus, the head bands will be disposed exteriorly of the ends of the strips and tape and will tend to protect the same. The conventional hubs (not shown) are then secured to the outer surface of the back l2 to reinforce the same. An outer backing or reinforcing strip 25 of leather is then secured by an adhesive, or other suitable means, to the outer surfaces of the back I2 and boards I4 and is also preferably secured to the backing strip I5 along the lines 26, thereby providing a flexible hinge connection between each board and said back. The reinforcing strip 25 is of sufficient size to overlie a considerable portion of the boards I4 and is of greater length than said board and the back l2, as is clearly shown in Figure 9. Manifestly, this greater length of the strip 25 permits the same to be folded inwardly overthe inner surfaces of the boards I4, head bands I3 and backing strips I5 (Figure 10) and glued or otherwise securedthereto so as to be permanently secured to said elements.

In the construction of cloth-covered bindings, such as has been illustrated herein, the outer surfaces of the boards I4 are covered with suitable canvas or cloth 24 immediately after the fastening of the backing strips I5 and'hinge members H to said boards and prior to the connectionof the same to the block I9, as shown in Figures 6 to 9. The outer or exposed corners of the cloth-covered boards are then reinforcedby strips 21, of imitation leather, Fabrikoid or' other suitable material, which are folded around said corners and fastened thereto by a suitable adhesive. The inner surfaces of the boards and" the back are then covered by sheets 28 of suitable plain or decorative paper. The latter step completes the binding and the same is now' ready for use as shown in Figure 10. If Fabrikoid or imitation leather is employed as a covering, the same is applied after the step of securing the strip 25 to the boards and backs.

While leather may be applied in the same manner, it is the usual practice to increase the size of the leather strip so as to cover the entire exterior of the boards.

Although the block or form I9 may be constructed inone piece, it is preferable that the .same' be adjustable and be composed of a pair of complementary sections or halves 29 as shown in Figures 6 to 8. ,These sections are formed by Within the scope of the appended claims, without splitting the block l9 longitudinally and vertically from the central portion of its rounded upper end 20. As is clearly shown in Figure 8, the sections or members of the block are held together by a plurality of counter-sunk telescoping or Chicago screws 39. To permit lateral adjustment in the width of the block, a thick sheet or board 3!, of wood or other suitable material, is interposed between the sections andclamped therebetween by the screws 39. Thus, by varying the thickness of the sheetor board 3|, the width of the block may be varied and the capacity of the completed binding B accurately controlled. The adjustability in Width of the block is highly desirable because all bindings are not of the same thickness or capacity and such adjustability permits one block to beused in the formation of bindings of various sizes, thereby effecting a considerable saving in the manufacture of bindings of odd or infrequently used sizes.

As has been hereinbefore set forth, the use of separate binding strips l5 permits the same size strips to be used in bindings of various sizes or capacities and is obviously an economical manufacturing expedient. However, in standard size bindings. that is, those of standard thickness or capacity, such as record books, it is preferable to form the backing strip in one piece, as shown in Figure 11. For this purpose, a single wider strip 35 of similar material is substituted for the separate backing strips I5 and has its longitudinal edge portions fastened to the boards I4 by the rivets it of the hinge members I? in the same manner. Of course, the use of a single backing strip eliminates the necessity for the tape 23 with the result that the same is not used. Instead, the

reinforced back i2 is secured directly to the outer surface of the single or one-piece backing strip. Aside from this change, the manufacturing steps and the construction of this binding are identical to that which has been described and shown hereinbefore. It is noted that the use of a single or one-piece backing strip is more economical in the manufacture of a large number of bindings of the same capacity or thicknessand is, therefore, more desirable in some instances, although the two-piece backing strip is more desirable when the bindings vary in thickness or capacity.

From the foregoing, it is manifest that an economical, durable binding is provided, Due to the provision of the block or form I9, the elements of the binding are maintained in the same position and relationship as they will have in the completed binding with the result that prolonged curing of the binding is rendered unnecessary. Since the binding is capable of being used immediately upon completion, it is obvious that a considerable saving of time and expense is effected. The adjustability of this form or block makes it adaptable for use in the construction of bindings of various thicknesses or capacities. It is also pointed out that the use of head bands, of leather, or other suitable material, affords better reinforcement for the back and makes possible a neater, more durable and more economical binding. Attention is also directed to the positive hinge connection between the back 82 and boards .l4 which is provided by securing the backing strip or strips to the outer reinforcing strip 25.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made,

departing from the. spirit of the invention.

What I'claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1.. A binding having the usual binders boards including, a concave back, means fastening the back tothe boards, and relatively-firm flexible members secured to the inner curved surface of said back at each end thereof for reinforcing the same.

2. A binding having the usual binders boards and concave back including, hinge means fastening the boards to each other and to the back, and head bands of relatively-firm flexible material secured to the inner concave surface of said back for reinforcing the same.

3. A binding including, a pair of binders boards, a back, an inner sheet fastening the inner surfaces of the back and each board together, an outer sheet connecting the outer surfaces of said back and boards together, the portions of the sheets between the intersection of the back and boards being secured together to provide a flexible hingeconnection therebetween, and a metallic hinge member secured to each board and overlying the inner sheet, whereby the securing of each member to each board fastens said inner sheet to said board.

4. The method of manufacturing a binding which includes, fastening the binders boards together, attaching said boards to a form so as to support the same in the desired relationship, securing a pre-formed back to the boards, then removing the binding from the form and covering the same.

5. The method of manufacturing a binding which includes, fastening the inner surfaces of a pair of binders boards together by a backing strip, removably securing the boards to a form so as to support the same in their desired permanent relationship, attaching a preformed back to the outer surface of the backing strip, then connecting the outer surfaces of the boards to the back by a reinforcing strip, the contiguous surfaces of the strips between said boards and back being secured together to provide a flexible hinge conso as to maintain said boards in their desired rel-.

ative position during the construction of the binding, attaching a 'pre-formed back to the outer surface of the backing strip, then connecting the outer surfaces of the boardsto the back by a reinforcing strip, the contiguous surfaces of the strips between said boards and back being secured together to provide a flexible hinge connection therebetween, and then covering the boards and back.

7. A binding including, a pair of binders boards, an individual backing strip fastened to the inner surface of each board, means attaching the strips to each other, a back secured to the outer surfaces of said strips, and a reinforcing strip connecting the outer surfaces of the boards to the back and to each other.

8. The method of manufacturing a binding which includes, fastening a backing strip to each binders board, attaching the boards to a form so as to support the same in their desired relative position during the constructing of the binding, connecting a back to said boards, and then removing thebinding from the form and covering the same. V V

9. The method of manufacturing a binding which includes, placing a backing strip in a positioncoverlying the inner marginal portion of each bi'nders board, securing a hinge member to the inner marginal portion of each board and simultaneously fastening the backing strip to each board, connecting the hinge members to a form so as to support said boards in their desired relative position during the construction of the binding and then fastening a back to the boards.

10.The method of manufacturing a binding which includes, removably attaching the binders boards to a form so as to support said boards in 15 ZALVBERT T. WALRAVEN. 

